computers

Got something to say, but it's not classic related? Here's the place to discuss. Also includes the once ever-so-popular word association thread... (although we've had to start from scratch with it - sorry!)
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tractorman
Posts: 1399
Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:22 am
Location: Wigton, Cumbria

Re: computers

#101 Post by tractorman »

That's all assuming the scanner is compatible with Win 7 - or even XP in "native" mode!

I had an Epson some years ago (it was a SCSI one) and, when I upgraded to XP, it wouldn't play ball (I'd bought a PCI SCSI card at the same time as there was a new motherboard which only had PCI). I kept the machine to one side for ages and eventually took it up to the attic, where there were two Win 98 machines. After about a year, I needed to scan something and yep, the scanner's internals had seized up - it wouldn't work at all!!

The "new" Canon USB machine was dirt cheap in comparison (about a quarter of the price of the Epson) and, several years later, is still going strong - and gives a much higher resolution.

People keep asking why I don't do much with computers these days - I find the tractors a lot less stressful (even the Landy is less stressful!!)
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TerryG
Posts: 6758
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:54 pm
Location: East Midlands

Re: computers

#102 Post by TerryG »

I suppose it depends on the kit and it's replacement value as to if it is worth spending time getting it to work with newer software or not.
Work have a SCSI 1 post scanner which I have got working on the x86 version of Windows 7 using NT4 drivers. If they had suggested I got a normal desktop scanner working I would have done the same as you and bought a USB version.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
rich.
Posts: 6895
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:18 pm

Re: computers

#103 Post by rich. »

hi chaps!
my parents who are in their mid 70s & are not great with computers have been thinking of getting a laptop or tablet as they would like to see pics of my kids & be in contact more often.. any suggestions as to what they could get that is simples to use & a reasonable priced broadband connection??
bear in mind my mum is worse with computers than me so it really needs to be easy to use??
i ring them 2 or3 times a week but im not keen on spending time on teaching them how to use it over the phone :D
thanks in advance :D
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TerryG
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Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:54 pm
Location: East Midlands

Re: computers

#104 Post by TerryG »

Get a cheap android tablet. The 10.1 inch versions are easy to use for those who aren't that accurate with fingers on the display. LOADS of free apps and unless you are an idiot, no virus issues.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
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JPB
Posts: 10319
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:24 pm

Re: computers

#105 Post by JPB »

Terry got there first with the logical suggestion but, just another way to approach this and possibly a bit off the wall: I'm thinking that if all they want is email facilities, Skype or similar and occasional browsing of the internets, then might a Smart TV be a better idea than a 'puter of the conventional sort? Heather just bought a lovely one (GE brand but seems to have a lot of Sony bits to it) which does skype (has its own inbuilt webcam and microphones for that sort of thing), has no limits on what sort of web content she can access with it as it uses a proper web browser - unlike some web enabled tellies which have very restricted access to pages that the makers' licensing deals dictate that they're allowed to offer - and means that people can become even lazier than they are already because they can stay exactly where they are and start a Skype session simply by aiming a remote controller at the telly which, in the case of the sis-in-law beast's new one, includes a shiny PVR interface among its bundled software, so allows for iplayer and other OTA content to be recorded without any restriction on how long it remains accessible after being downloaded. Just like get_iplayer in fact, but no need to open a terminal, it all happens in a pretty screen with a proper EPG layout and access to the teletext. Sadly, Bamber Boozler has long since retired though. :cry:
It can of course be used for emailing and all of the usual web functions of a PC, but with none of the housekeeping required. That's in her own place back home but I'd assume that UK & Eurozone retailers would be offering similar things by now.

All of that is no more complex than using a normal telly but it does everything that 90% of the population would ever do with their laptops or tablets in any case. ;)
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true.. :oops:
rich.
Posts: 6895
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:18 pm

Re: computers

#106 Post by rich. »

thanks chaps!!
Phil P
Posts: 682
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:00 pm

Re: computers

#107 Post by Phil P »

Why all this fruit connections? Apple, Blackberry, Orange phone. All I know is they all turn out to be a lemon! No wonder 5 year old's can use them. Computers are like 5 year old's. No logic, they don't do what you want, shouting at them has no effect and you shouldn't give them a thump.
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TerryG
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Location: East Midlands

Re: computers

#108 Post by TerryG »

Phil P wrote:you shouldn't give them a thump.
Why not? I have used hammers for some physical reprogramming several times over the years. it is a good way to relieve stress. make sure you have backups first though ;)
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
rich.
Posts: 6895
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:18 pm

Re: computers

#109 Post by rich. »

Phil P wrote: 5 year old's. No logic, they don't do what you want, shouting at them has no effect and you shouldn't give them a thump.
welcome to my world :roll:
tractorman
Posts: 1399
Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:22 am
Location: Wigton, Cumbria

Re: computers

#110 Post by tractorman »

I lost the internet yesterday - it was fine at lunchtime, when I posted some feedback on the bay (some countersunk "pop" rivets), but the red "Internet" light was flashing at seven. We'd had an interesting afternoon with several very short power outages (I was using the angle grinder on the military fuel tank - and have found one hole so far!) and, after a few random attempts to solve the problem with Win7, a web page from BT Wholesale appeared and said they were working on the fault and it would be sorted "soon".

It was still off at half past eight and, after a quick read of the instruction book, I re-entered my details in the router and hey presto!
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